Burial casket



Oct. 20, 1953 c. w. GLAssNER 2,655,712

BURIAL GASKET 3 SheetS'Sheet 1 Filed April :50,y 194s n A k) l; A n

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y Snventor y CHA/PLfsmMsm/f Oct. 20, 1953 c. w. GLAssNR BURIAL GASKET eet --Sheet` 2 Filed April 50, 1948 (Ittornegs oct. 2o, 1953 Filed April 30, 1948 C. W. GLASSNER BURIAL GASKET 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 nventor @noruega Patented Oct. 20, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE BURIAL GASKET Charles W. Glassner, Akron, Ohio Application April 30, 1948, Serial No. 24,181

1 Claim.

It is an object of the invention to provide a casket which is sealed against entry of water by means of trapped air. A further object is to .provide a casket which combines the functions of a conventional casket with those of outer burial boxes er shipping boxes and thus eliminates the need for such extra items. Still another object is to provide a casket, the major portion of which comprises an air-proof bell and a separate couch member as a bottom, adapted to be placed on the bell with the latter serving as a stand. Still another object is to attain the foregoing while maintaining the familiar form and appearance of a death lay-out.

To these and other ends will be made manifest hereinafter, the invention comprises certain novel and useful features, one embodiment of which is set forth in the accompanying speciiication and illustrated in the several views of the drawings, in Which:

Fig. l is an exploded view in side elevation, with the two main parts in the relative position they occupy for interment or shipment;

Fig. 2 is a similar View with the bottom or couch member resting on the upper or bell member;

Fig. 3 is a section Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail of Fig. 3.

taken on the line 3-3 of Referring to the drawings, there 1s shown genor at the marginal edges thereof. Functionally, A

therefore, the bell is the cover for the casket and the base corresponds to the casket proper, the overall appearance being not sensibly different from that of a conventional top-cover casket.

The base 2 forms a support for the couch member and will preferably comprise an enclosure formed from upstanding Walls 3, which may take any suitable form consistent with the inclusion of a pallet 4 of the required size.

Carried on the underside of the base frame 5 is a continuous strip 6 of suitable gasket material, such as rubber, adapted to contact the base member 2 and form an air-seal and water-seal therewith due to the Weight of the bell and auxiliary 4pressure and locking appendages. Of the latter, one type is for permanent sealing and locking, and one is temporary.

For temporary locking, aligned holes in the base 2 and base frame 5 will be engaged by bolts 1, and for Ipermanent closure a self-locking feai tureis provided. In one form this may comprise notched heads 8 threadedly adjustable in the bell base 5, receivable in wells 9 having a springpressed pawl II). As shown, these wells are `provided in extensions I I on the couch walls 3. Four of these are shown, but more may be employed if deemed necessary or desirable. For final closure, the bell is merely lowered so that the notched heads are received in the wells and the locking action effected by an added pressure to the necessary degree. Upon interment the Weight of the earth will further increase the tightness oi the seal.

For the purpose of placing the remains on view, the bell member is employed as a support. Saddle members I2 having a flat top and an underside shaped to conform to the proiile of the top of the bell are placed on the bell and receive the base 2 with the pallet 4 and other appurtenances. In this arrangement, a back I3 is employed. This is a removable and reusable adjunct and is held in position as by depending legs I4 insertable in brackets I5 carried by the rear couch Wall. The back aiiords the familiar appearance of the open cover of a casket. These backs may comprise various rear shapes and styles selectable to suit any occasion, and may be further varied in appearance and given added durability by the use of slip covers.

Of the several useful aspects of the present invention, the one most immediately apparent and appreciated is the fact that the casket, per se, is adequate for shipment or interment without extra closures. This minimizes expense, and, perhaps more importantly, saves space. Not only is space saved as a matter of financial economy, but the effect is to bring about narrower limits of standardization of the various activities incident to burials. In the past, not only has the size of the deceased been a consideration; the ultimate factor has been the size of the outer container, which has been subject to Wide variation and determined by whim or fancy. The casket of this invention, being rugged and airsealed, serves as the ultimate repository, and needs only a minor covering such as a cloth drape in shipping or burial for masking purposes.

A second important consideration is the airseal and its location. The bell member being structurally continuous and imperforate is airimpermeable in every sense, and the only region subject to deterioration and ultimately vulnerable to air is the gasketed line of closure at the bottom. The most undesirable consequence of interment is the access of ground water into the interior of a casket. In general, water will attain the level of the seal exteriorly of the casket before decay of the seal. But whether before or after such decay, the continuous and imperforate nature of the bell will ensure that seepage of water into the interior will be avoided due to the air lock. The situation may be likened to that obtaining in the case of a diving bell. In fact this function is so pronounced that prevention of water ingress will be attained even without the gasket seal. An air lock is not attainable where the seal is at or near the top.

While presenting the foregoing advantages, the casket of this invention lends itself readily to an arrangement for viewing of the remains which, in eiect, is in no way a departure from or inferior to the appearance of the customary layout, and is attended with desirable economies.

For shipping purposes it may be desirable to provide means of securement for the remains, and to this end I provide additional brackets such as I on the opposite couch wall for the accommodation of straps I6.

Considering the novel features of this invention relative to dispensing with the need for outer containers, it will be desirable that certain forms of reenforcement be employed interiorly of the bell member. As shown at l1 I have provided rib members for the underside of the top dome of the bell as being the most vulnerable region in shipping, and particularly under the weight of filled earth. Such reenforcement has the additional advantage of enabling the use of lighter cage of material in the bell while maintaining necessary strength and thus reducing costs. The proper location and form 0f reenforcement will suggest themselves as regards particular cases that may arise, the general thought here involved being the provision of reenforcement as an adjunct to a casket which combines the functions of an outer container.

While certain shapes. forms and mechanical devices have been shown, it will be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited thereby. For example, the gasket means may be located other than on the bell, for instance on the base. The particular locking means shown are subject to variation, as is the manner oi' mounting the back. The bell and base may be of any Suitable air-proof material, such as steel.

4 copper, ceramic or plastic materials, for instance. Preferably, the permanent lock will be located inwardly of the seal so as to avoid corrosive associations.

The embodiment of the invention described herein is for illustrative purposes and is not to be deemed as limited except as shall appear from the spirit and scope of the appended claim.

Where the word substantial is used in the claim, it is intended to qualify to the extent of serving the objects set forth in this specification. In particular regard to the size of the bell, this will have reference to the level above which rise of ground water is not desired.

What is claimed is:

A burial casket comprising a top closure of continuous and imperi'orate structure having dependent sides forming substantially the entire vertical extent of the casket, a separate, low base member upon which the top closure is received in closing relation, a couch member on the base, member, and means along each side of the couch member for attachment of straps to secure an object on the couch member, said means comprising upright panels with brackets having vertically arranged openings, thereby Serving alternately for support of an upright background panel lengthwise of the couch member.

CHARLES W. GLASSNER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 212,273 Shannon Feb. 11. 1879 256,565 Hedenberg Apr. 18, 1882 328,291 Cooper Oct. 13, 1885 344,901 Grover July 6, 1886 1,001,424 Montross Aug. 22, 19'11 1,189,156 Miller June 27, 1918 1,637,471 Clarke Aug. 2, 1927 1,666,148 Rick Apr. 17, 1928 1,894,482 Dorsey Jan. 17, 1933 1,901,149 Dancer Mar. 14, 1933 1,956,849 Benbough May 1, 1934 2,050,675 Tanner Aug. 1l, 1938 2,056,404 Lawrence Oct. 6, 1936 2,156,872 Roberts May 2, 1939 2,468,651 Blume Apr. 26, 1949 

